As a teacher, you can reduce cultural barriers by encouraging students to share their family traditions in front of the class. For example, ask your students to share how their families celebrate Christmas. Students will recognize that cultures different from their own still express some similarities. Also allow students to ask respectful questions of the student who is sharing a story.
Assigning group activities allows students of different backgrounds to work together. Group projects give students an opportunity to find common ground. When a group of students work on a project together, they collaborate on their ideas. Once students finish their projects, teachers should ask them what they learned about their group members while working on the project.
While many students have felt accepted in their learning environment, they likely have felt alienated at times, too. To help students understand inclusion and exclusion, divide them into groups of four or five. Instruct the students to share stories about times they have been included and excluded. Once they have finished sharing their experiences, ask them to evaluate differences and similarities in their stories.
Whether a student's name is common or rare, it likely has some meaning behind it. Ask your students to write a one-page story about their names. Instruct them to include the ethnic origin of their names, the person who gave them their names, their nicknames and anything interesting they want to add. Before you divide students in groups to share their stories, read a story about your own name.
One way for students to get to know each other is to ask them to write a poem about who they are. Instruct them to begin each line with "I am." While they can write about anything they want, encourage them to write about their hobbies, cultures and favorites memories. Divide students into small groups, and ask them to share their poems with each other.